Sanskrit; 3 Definition(s)
Introduction
Sanskrit means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Mīmāṃsā (school of philosophy)
Sanskrit.—According to Mīmāṃsa the meaning (artha) of Sanskrit words is intrinsic to them by their very nature and not dependant upon human agency—i.e. The meaning is not dependant upon the collective decision of people. If this were not so, we would have an “Alice in wonderland” situation where words mean whatever the speaker wants then to mean—in which case communication becomes impossible. Even if we accept this as given—there is still the compounding problem of interpretation in translation—every translator also acts wittingly or unwittingly as an interpreter of the message, and because every Sanskrit word has at least 10 different meanings every translator has interpreted the text according to their own agenda based upon:—
- svabhāva—nature
- bhūmika —level of attainment or expertise
- adhikāra —authority to interpret or to explain the subject matter.
Mimamsa (मीमांसा, mīmāṃsā) refers to one of the six orthodox Hindu schools of philosophy, emphasizing the nature of dharma and the philosophy of language. The literature in this school is also known for its in-depth study of ritual actions and social duties.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Sanskrit is considered the most important (among the 4 four great and special canonical languages) and is known as the divine language [lha’i skad], the language that all buddhas of the three times spoke in the past, are speaking in the present and will speak in the future.
(Source): Kunpal: Shantideva's Bodhisattva-charyavatara
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Brahma letters. The classical Aryan language of ancient India, systematized by scholars. With the exception of a few ancient translations probably from Pali versions, most of the original texts in Buddhism used in China were Sanskrit.(Source): Buddhist Door: GlossaryRelevant definitions
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Relevant text
Search found 154 books and stories containing Sanskrit. You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Part 3 - The Prajñāpāramitāstotra < [Chapter XXIX - The Virtue of Wisdom]
Preliminary note (3): Explanations on the aṅgas < [Part 2 - Hearing the twelve-membered speech of the Buddha]
Understanding dharmatā: Preliminary note < [Part 2 - Understanding dharmatā and its synonyms]
The Practice Manual of Noble Tārā Kurukullā
Bodhisattvacharyavatara (by Andreas Kretschmar)
Text Section 148 < [Khenpo Chöga’s Oral Explanations]
Text Section 146 < [Khenpo Chöga’s Oral Explanations]
Text Section 136 < [Khenpo Chöga’s Oral Explanations]